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Thursday: County hosts 'Housing Heroes' award event

In 2008, when the median monthly rent for was 65 percent cheaper than it is now, San Mateo County launched its "Housing Heroes" award.

The award is intended to recognize efforts by those who help people dealing with mental illness or substance-use disorders to find safe, stable housing within the county, according to Diana Rohini LaVigne, spokesperson for the county health system.

On Oct. 27, the county will host its ninth annual awards ceremony, recognizing the following people:

• Kelsey Fuller, Caminar, a nonprofit agency that provides support services to people with mental and developmental disabilities.

• Miguel Hernandez, property owner

• Rosemary Henson, property owner

• San Mateo County Abode Services, a nonprofit that provides services to homeless people.

• Whitley Property Management Inc.

"These men and women go above and beyond to provide people with a secure and safe place to live, which supports well-being and recovery," said Stephen Kaplan, director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

The awards ceremony, hosted by the San Mateo County Health System, will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Sobrato Center at 350 Twin Dolphin Drive in Redwood City. It is free and open to the public, with refreshments expected.

The event will be preceded by the county's second annual Property Owners and Managers appreciation event from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. at the Sobrato Center. RSVP to that event by contacting Mariella Dunleavy at (650) 802-3300 or mdunleavy@smchousing.org.